Whose body is this? Dieting in Pre Menopause mode

I donít know my own body anymore. Peri Menopause is certainly doing a number on me. My periods are irregular, plus I have fibroids and cysts that are being surgically addressed in August.

I used to know exactly when I was PMS and so understood my cravings and upped my protein accordingly. I could expect to lose 3-4 pounds afterward providing I ate healthfully during. Now, itís late or early, lasts 2 days or 10. And shall I mention hot flashes and cramps? Itís been so long since I was food conscious for more than 2 cycles. I hope to be up to the task.

I'll be 42 next month and went thru menapause over night on my 40th bday. Well I had hot flashes & night sweats for a month. Plus a 6 month old baby!
No warning signs that it was coming. My body does hold on to fat (thus the reason I'm on this board)...went from 135 to about 190 after the birth of the kids, and in the last few years it's creeped up to 222, an all time high.
My belly fat makes me sick, the mood swings, all the signs.
It's a relief to meet others in the same situation!

Ha! I had to laugh when I read your post, hopingtobehopeful - I can certainly relate! Especially to the whole thing about not knowing when your period will arrive or how long it will last - what a collosal pain. And no one really talks about it, so I was unprepared when it happened (mother and grandmother each had a hysterectomy). I had been blaming my weight gain on perimenopausal changes, but then after doing research I could not find anything that linked the two. So I finally realized I just wasn't trying hard enough - now, 3 months later, I've lost 20 lbs and gained a fair amount of muscle. I must say - being in better shape sure makes you feel better about getting older!

Thanks 47yo! Good to hear. And yes, I believe it's not an impossible task, maybe just a little harder. But I am done using it as an excuse and will get this gracefully aging and hopefully shrinking body in gear!

you know I found when i went to healthier eating (whole grains, no sugar, no white potatoes, no wheat) and drinking a lot of water my mood swings improved. life got easier... more stable. of course it could all be in my head.

__________________
Nessa
--
on the beach since May 1, 2006
added Points August, 2008
Having RNY September 22, 2009

Yes, I agree with you gals. Staying off the white stuff - processed wheat, sugar - does help the moods. It also helps the water-weight. And I've had frozen-yogurt-things on-a-stick (not the brand name!) They are good.

It's that Catch-22 thing. When I feel better, I'll eat healthier. But wait! I need to eat healthier to fell better.

Do any of you take any vitamins or prescriptions for any of the cravings, mood swings, all the other symptoms? I have an appt with a doctor in about a month. It will be my first time to really ask some questions. the other doctors I'd seen dismissed my being in menapause, said I was too young, and of course had a 6 mo old baby ...but I joke that I haven't had a period since before the baby was born. He is THREE. So now that we've moved and are in a new state / new doctor I want to make sure I ask all the right questions. I feel like when I see Sally Field or those others on TV that I should be taking something. You know that commercial for .knowmenaupse?
But I'm not taking anything at all, and my mood swings are awful! YES the icecream helps. Anything cold. Rootbeer over crushed ice is my weakness.